NTU International Summer School in
China Programme 2014
The annual Nanyang Technological University (NTU) International Summer School in China is now
open for application
!The Programme is open to all NTU students in your second or third year, especially those with an interest in Asian studies and China.
This is a five-week summer programme, including a one-week study tour, for selected students from NTU, Chinese partner universities, and
international partner universities.
You will take two graded, credit-bearing
courses. Three interdisciplinary courses will be offered, exploring concepts and perspectives in Great Ideas, Sustainability Leadership and
Societies in Comparative Perspective. The courses will be taught jointly by NTU faculty and faculty from partner universities.
Additional enrichment courses in Chinese culture will be made available to interested students. The programme fee of S$3,500 includes course instruction, accommodation, orientation
programme, and field trips. You can also elect to attend optional cultural programmes.
PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS: Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) Australian National University (Australia) Bryn Mawr College (US)
Haverford College (US) Nankai University (China) Stockholm University (Sweden) Tianjin University (China) University of Toronto (Canada)
DESTINATION: TIANJIN, CHINA DATE: 28 JUNE TO 3 AUGUST 2014 NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 40
NTU International Summer School in China 2014
Unique Learning Experience
In the summer of 2014, NTU will be partnering Bryn Mawr College, Haverford College, Australian National University, Stockholm University and University of Toronto. They have been selected because of the quality of their undergraduate education and with the view of creating a truly international learning
experience.
The Programme will enable you to meet with Chinese and international college students to exchange ideas about culture and communication. You will get to immerse yourself in a dynamic exchange between international faculty, students and environment, which delivers a unique cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary learning experience, while at the same time, earning credits towards your degree programme at NTU.
Courses
The Summer Programme in 2014 spans over five weeks and will include three multi-disciplinary courses. Of the three courses, you will choose two as part of your summer study.
Great Ideas
Professor Li Chenyang, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Professor Michael Allen, Bryn Mawr College, United States of America (to be confirmed)
This course is concerned with the interaction between economic exchange, social values and the political order. It explores the ideas and ideologies that people use to make sense of commerce, integration and authority. It is interdisciplinary by its very nature but also because the debate is so old. Most of the great ideas with which economic, social and political
philosophy are concerned were formulated long before the borders of the present-day academic disciplines were ever laid down.
Great Ideas trace the development of core concepts like individualism, community, evolution, nationhood, growth, negotiation, contract and democracy from the Greek philosophers to our own times. Great Books illustrate and amplify the great ideas through an understanding of nine influential classics that have shaped our present-day perspectives.
Sustainability Leadership
(To be confirmed), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
(To be confirmed)
Sustainability Leadership is an interdisciplinary course designed for future leaders who are committed to making a significant and positive difference in creating a more sustainable world. The course provides
students with an essential understanding of the urgent and critical social, environmental, ethical and economic challenges and opportunities facing the world, and equipping them to respond more effectively. Students will be exposed to a wide range of
perspectives surrounding the complex challenges and opportunities in sustainability. The course allows students to approach sustainability through multiple viewpoints with intellectual cohesion and engaged problem solving.
Societies in Comparative Perspective Professor Xiao Hong, Nanyang Technological
University, Singapore
Professor Nathan Wright, Bryn Mawr College, United States of America (to be confirmed)
This course centres on the process of sociocultural evolution and social change. In doing so, students will examine human societies past and present, that is social evolution from hunting and gathering to industrial societies. Using an ecological evolutionary approach, students will investigate the relationship between sociocultural systems and their environment and the stability and evolution of human societies through time. Thus, the focus is less on the behavior and attitudes of isolated individuals than on the explanation of social structure and patterns of social change.
Some specific issues covered include types of human societies, causes and consequences of food production, social and cultural characteristics of societies such as the degree and form of social inequality, family structure, and gender relations.
Study Tour
A key feature of the Summer Programme is the out-of-class study which will be an integral part of each course. A study tour is an academic course involving traditional classroom learning and experiential learning. Faculty-led tours provide students first-hand
opportunities to investigate other cultures, enhancing academic development. You will be working hand-in-hand with faculty and students from US, Canada and Chinese universities, visiting places in and around Tianjin that provide a rich history relating to your two courses.
Top: Students basks in Cambodian culture during their study tour to the country (July 2013)
Bottom: Students interact with their peers from Royal University of Phnom Penh. “Selfies” prevail across varied cultures! (July 2013)
Orientation
Before your arrival in Tianjin, NTU will provide you with a comprehensive Information Kit, which includes practical information such as a calendar for the summer with timetable of your courses and
considerable information preparing you for your time in China. Upon arrival you will be picked up from the designated airports and brought to your
accommodation. You will attend a welcome reception with your fellow students followed by an orientation programme around Tianjin University and surrounding area, as well as induction to the University facilities.
Cultural Courses
As part of the Summer Programme, you may also take up to two courses in Chinese culture. Each course provides one hour per week of instruction. Cultural courses can include Chinese martial art, weiqi
(equivalent of Go game), Chinese culinary art, and tai chi.
Housing
You will be housed alongside other Summer Programme students, in twin sharing rooms, near Tianjin University. The accommodation is located close to a locally popular food street. Rooms come with bathroom facilities and broadband internet access.
Programme Fee and Living Expenses
The Programme has been designed to minimise the costs you will be required to pay upon arrival in China – the S$3,500 fee is an almost all-inclusive cost covering most expenses, including: All tuition fees
Housing
Orientation programme, beginning before you arrive and continuing upon your arrival
Study tour
Cultural courses
Special evening seminars
In addition, optional cultural courses will be offered to all students. The only additional costs you will have once in China will be for your food, an occasional textbook and costs from weekend travel.
All students must have travel and medical insurance for the duration of the programme.
Learning happens in classroom, through video conference with University of Toronto and during the study tour to Cambodia (July 2013)
NTU International Summer School in China 2014
The likely expenses include:
Expenses Estimates (S$) S$
Programme Fees
Tuition Fee (2 courses at $700 per course
for NTU students) S$1,400
Study Tour S$600
Cultural Courses S$100
Hostel Accommodation ($40 per day for 5
weeks) S$1,400
Total Programme Fees S$3,500 Miscellaneous Expenses
Meals ($3 per meal for 3 meals per day
for 5 weeks) S$315
Books, personal expenses, etc S$100
Air ticket S$1,200
Visa -- Business Visa (F), Single Entry S$50 Medical Insurance S$100 Total Miscellaneous Expenses S$1,765
Total S$5,265
Scholarships
The Summer Programme is able to grant a limited number of scholarships. A scholarship of S$3,500 covers tuition fees, study tour and accommodation. It is not payable in cash and covers neither
transportation nor living expenses.
We seek dynamic, deserving and motivated students. We will invite you to apply if you possess outstanding academic results, display a penchant for leadership, show a laudable track record in co-curricular activities, and exhibit a zest for community service. Priority will be given to financially needy students.
Application
The Programme is open to all NTU students in your second or third year, especially those with an interest in Asian studies and China. In June 2014, we will accept 25 students from NTU, 10 students from international partner universities, and another 5
students from Tianjin University and Nankai University.
For NTU students, in order to participate in the Programme you must have a minimum CGPA of 3.5. You should file an online application via StudentLink. Email or other forms of applications will not be accepted.
When you have completed the online application form, please ensure that all required fields are filled up and that all of the information you have provided is correct. Successful candidates might be required to attend an interview, on a selective basis.
For students from partner universities, please register your interest with the International Programme Office (or its equivalent) of your respective universities. The important dates are as follows.
Activity Important Dates
Application deadline 28 February 2014 Interview (selective) 1 to 16 March 2014 Acceptance into
Summer Programme 17 March to 31 March 2014 Pre-trip Briefing Sometime in end May 2014 Summer Programme 28 June to 3 August 2014 Return to Singapore 3 August 2014
Corporate Partners
The support of our corporate partners is greatly appreciated. Without whose generous contribution, the NTU Summer School in China would not have been possible.
Private donor:
Hear from the “Seniors” from Class of 2013!
From faculty“I really do think that NTU has a good opportunity to accomplish something very nice as this project goes forward. Just as Singapore is well situated to serve as a kind of cultural/business mediator for all things political/industrial between China and the West – I think that one of the strengths of this program is along the same lines, as the
Singapore students serve as nice go-betweens culturally and linguistically for the North American…”
Prof Daniel Jernigan, NTU
“Thanks for all you did for us before and after our visit. It is always nice to hear from you. I am looking forward to next year already.
Prof Michael Allen, Bryn Mawr College
“And thanks again for everything. I hope I have an opportunity to do this again next year.
Prof Nathan Wright, Bryn Mawr College
From students
“As a Nanyang Business School student, I value the exposure to humanities courses that this summer school has provided me. I also gained a deeper insight of other countries' culture through interactions with fellow summer school participants.”
Brenda Kwong, NBS, NTU
“As an engineering student, I have broadened my perspectives to sociology, political economics and cultural studies. This is really an invaluable experience. I have also honed my research skills.”
Zheng Kaixi, Renaissance Engineering Programme, NTU
“I've never bonded so quickly with a set of people who are seemingly so different. It was really really amazing to see so many friendships formed. Upon beginning, I couldn't understand how people formed life long friendships through this program. Needless to say it is clear to me now. “
Hayley Burke, Bryn Mawr College
From students (continued)
“The planning and the accommodation to our every need have been beyond expectation. I really enjoyed the content for Cultural Encounters and the material was appropriate in depth considering the amount of time we had to work on it. The [study] trip overall was very very good.”
Tajuddin Bin Mohd Marhim, Sociology major, HSS, NTU
“It is so hard to choose [what I enjoyed most] since there are many equally valuable takes from the program, but I would probably say the social and cultural knowledge I got from this program is incredibly valuable to me.”
Linh Tran, Bryn Mawr College
“I am so happy that I was able to have this opportunity. Program was presented in a professional manner while still retaining warmth and friendliness. One of the most influential experiences on my outlook of life…”
Josette Graves, Bryn Mawr College
“I learnt a lot phenomena about China, which I cannot even learn in China. Also, I become used to thinking question in a relatively critical thought. [I enjoyed most the] different cultural experience, Singaporean friends, fantastic Singapore sight scene!”
Gong Yi Dan, Tianjin University
“… [I really enjoyed] the courses and the opportunities to communicate with students from Singapore and America.”
Li Mu Xue, Tianjin University
“[I have learnt] some useful oral expressions in English the collective or individual things in sociology. So friendly the Singaporean students, they let us show around Singapore. [I really like] the great professors of my classes and great library of NTU.”
NTU International Summer School in China 2014
College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, NTU
The College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) is one of the anchor colleges of the Nanyang
Technological University (NTU). Home to nearly 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students, HASS represents the dynamic interface between several major disciplines in three distinct schools, namely, (a) the School of Art, Design and Media, Singapore’s only professional art school to offer degree programmes in art, design and interactive digital media; (b) the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, a growing community of scholars with special strengths in research on Asia; and (c) the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Asia’s top school in mass communication.
HASS also houses the Centre for Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, a hub and funding platform for interdisciplinary research, and the Nanyang Centre for Public Administration. HASS is distinctive for its celebration of diversity, interdisciplinary learning and intellectual curiosity.
The College is committed to offering a broad-based education aimed at cultivating intellectual openness, rigour and integrity, creativity and innovation, and a deep commitment to social responsibility.
Participating Universities in 2014
Contact Information
For further information about the NTU International Summer School in China Programme, please contact:
THE PROGRAMME COORDINATOR
Seeto Wei Peng Deputy Director
College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences Nanyang Technological University
HSS05-62A, 14 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637332 Tel: (65) 6592-2587 GMT+8h
Fax: (65) 6791-1651 Email: wpseeto@ntu.edu.sg
NTU International Summer School in China Programme
Office of the Dean
College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences Nanyang Technological University
Level 5, 14 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637332
Email: d-hass@ntu.edu.sg | Tel: +65 6790 6792 | GMT+8h Website: www.cohass.ntu.edu.sg
In Perspective:
SINO-SINGAPORE TIANJIN ECO-CITY Tianjin, China
